July 31 is World Ranger Day, a day each year that commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates the work rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural treasures. The commemoration of World Ranger Day calls for stronger penalties for poachers and an increase in the number of rangers.
In 2015 at least 1,175 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa. On the positive side, Marakele NP has had success in stopping poaching. The rangers sleep outside maintaining vigilance against poachers and they have had zero poaching since 2013. Reynold Thakhuli, acting Head of Communications at SANParks, says ”We celebrate World Ranger Day; we are paying tribute to the only human beings standing (sic) between the evil barrel of the poachers. We are saying bravo; we thank them for their hard work.”
South Africa also joined the world to commemorate the many rangers killed or injured in the line of duty.
